538 
Coto-Keeping hy Farm Labourers. 
bacon hanjrinc: in the kitchens, the ffood manners of the 
children, unconstrained, and free from that objectionable ser- 
vility which may be observed in some localities ; and I con- 
cluded that the labourers on the Earl of Povv is's estate must be 
living under favourable circumstances. 
jMr. Bowen Jones thoroughly approves of the system. Mr. 
Davison remarked, in answer to a question of mine, " Two of 
my men are away to-day, as it happens (with permission, 
of course). I could not well spare them, but 1 would not refuse 
them ; and, after all, the total amount of inconvenience is very 
small — not to be named in comparison with the advantages." 
Some land on the river-side is let to cottagers here, and the 
particulars may be worth notice by those who desire to devote 
a field to their labourers, and to save fencing. They are as 
follows : — 
"Lands called Horse Parks, in Shrawardine parish, containing about 
23 acres. Rent 32?. ; about 28s. an acre. Eates and tithes paid by landlord. 
"Let to 16 cottagers, who j)ay 21. each. 
" Two stewards are appointed annually, who arrange the management of 
the lands. 
" A day is fixed for the fences to be repaired, and each tenant has to 
attend on that day, or find a substitute. 
" A day is fixed for mowing the grass, and all the tenants have to attend 
on that daj-, or find a substitute, or forfeit lis. 
" All have to make the haj', and it is made into large cocks of equal size, 
and lots are drawn for it. 
" The hay is carried by the farmers to the cottagers' cow-houses. Each 
tenant turns a cow in to graze the lands. 
" They do not jxit anj- manure on the land ; it is generally flooded every 
year by the river ISevem, which leaves a deposit." 
The following rules and particulars refer to some land in 
Shropshire held conjointly by several tenants, and belonging to 
Lord Windsor : — 
"Helmsley Meadow, Bromfield jiarish, containing ISi acres, occupied by 
5 tenants, each having 3 acres of land, for a cow only. 
" The field is divided into two equal parts by a post and rail fence, having 
the public road at one end, and gates to each part from the road. 
"Five cottagers pay Ql. each =30?., free of rates and tithe (15 acres, at 
21. an acre). 
" Each of the two pieces of land are mown and grazed alternately, and are 
equally divided into 5 parts, marked out by strong short pegs, numbered 
1 to 5. Lots are cast, and each one takes that which falls to him. 
" Each gate is kept locked, and each tenant has a key. 
" A mole-catcher is employed to kill the moles, at 2s. Gt7. a year, and paid 
by each tenant, at M. each. 
" Each tenant acts as bailiff in rotation, yearly, and keeps the fences in good 
repair, and pays the cost of such. After so doing he charges and collects 
from each of the other tenants one-fifth jiart of such expense. But no bailifi' 
is to incur additional expenses beyond the repairing of fences and mole- 
catching without the knowledge and consent of the other tenants. 
